Is the tail wagging the dog?: tenure requirements

Well, just went through my first renewal/evaluation. What an interesting experience. Most fascinating is the internalizing of an understanding of university/library expectations. Came to the realization that if I was to do everything required of me to reach tenure as a librarian, I would have very little of a life independent of work, mainly because there is no time left in each day.

Pursuant to this, I require career growth and personal growth. In taking on the role of an academic librarian I did not understand I was handing the ordering of my whole life over to an independent body/concept that would determine what I would do, when and how I would do it and for how long. At least that is what it feels like. I would rather not just go through the motions to fulfill a concept, I would like some quality in both career and personal growth.

I like my career direction but I would also like control over that career (to concentrate in some areas over others) and the discretion to manage that career in a way that augments my personal growth (feeding more than the growth of my career). So I found the tail wagging the dog and did not like it. The question becomes, how do I wrest control away?

Luckily, I sit on a committee that will be looking at the renewal/tenure process. Instead of having AND between each requirement, I will be suggesting an OR or perhaps groupings of options to allow for concentration in specific evaluation areas.